Hasan hattrick seals clinical win for U-19s

"I feel very great today after getting the first hattrick of my career. My teammates were also excited."

Rakibul Hasan

Hattrick hero

Bangladesh are on the cusp of earning a place in the Super League Quarterfinals of the Under-19 World Cup after a comfortable victory over Scotland at the Witrand Oval in Potchefstroom yesterday.

Left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan took a stunning hattrick as Bangladesh claimed their second win of Group C by seven wickets to move closer to the knockout stages.

Their place in the next stage would be assured if Pakistan beat Zimbabwe today -- a result which would also see Pakistan progress.

The Scots were bowled out for 89 -- with Hassan finishing with figures of four for 20 including the scalps of Kess Sajjad, Lyle Robertson and Charlie Peet in successive balls to take the Scots from 5-67 to 8-67 in the 24th over.

Bangladesh reached the target within 17 overs, although Scotland did force a fight back with a sterling bowling performance from seamer Sean Fischer-Keogh, who took three for 27. However, Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s unbeaten 35 steered his side across the line.

The win leaves Bangladesh top of Group C with four points and captain Akbar Ali was pleased with his side’s clinical display in the tournament so far, having opened the event with a nine-wicket win over Zimbabwe on Saturday.

“It feels good to win back to back matches and gives us some confidence heading to our next game against Pakistan. We will try to beat them and look at getting to the next round having finished at the top of the group,” said Ali.

SCORES IN BRIEF

Scotland Under-19s: 89 all out in 30.3 overs (Uzzair 28; Shoriful 2-13, Tanzim 2-26, Rakibul 4-20)

Bangladesh Under-19s: 91-3 in 16.4 overs (Parvez 25, Mahmudul 35 not out, Hridoy 17 not out; Sean 3-27)

Result: Bangladesh Under-19s won by seven wickets.